Voices: A Chance Meeting that Changed My Life

In December 2007 my life was
forever changed when my husband
and I flew to Israel. I spent
the flight talking to another traveler,
Judy Ludin. When we met, I knew
that I had found someone very
special who would impact my life.
I was about to learn how true my
instincts were.

Judy was traveling with her father,
and when I asked why her mom hadn't joined them, Judy informed
me that her mother was recovering from surgery and
treatment for ovarian cancer. I told her my baby sister had
died of ovarian cancer three years ago and my other sister
was fighting a recurrence. Immediately, she asked, "Lita, have
you been tested for the BRCA gene mutation?" Surprisingly,
with all the cancer in my family and my own complete hysterectomy
at age 28, I was unaware of this mutation. Judy
explained the connection between BRCA and people of Ashkenazi
Jewish descent and urged me to explore testing. She
also told me about the FORCE website, and her sister, Debbie,
who worked for the organization.

After returning home, I threw myself into researching BRCA
testing. I spoke with a genetic counselor and decided to have
my blood drawn and tested. My results showed that I carry a
BRCA1 mutation. I sent my results and letters from my genetic
counselor to all of my first-degree relatives. My daughter
tested positive for a BRCA1 mutation and for now, has chosen
surveillance and tamoxifen. My two sons have not been
tested yet, but they tell me they will. My niece, an amazing
young woman who has helped many women through her active
outreach in the BRCA Facebook community, also has the
same mutation, as does her mom, my sister.

I decided to have prophylactic bilateral mastectomies (PBM)
and immediate expander reconstruction. But things didn't go
so well and subsequently, I had two more implant reconstructions
which were ultimately replaced with tram flaps. Even at
age 68 I feel that all I have been through was worth it just
to be on the other side of this mutation and accompanying
cancer risk.

After my hysterectomy over 40 years ago, my surgeon informed
me that he saved my life because my ovaries, tubes,
uterus and cervix were pre-cancerous. In 2009, during my
PBM post-op appointment, my surgeon explained that my left
breast had precancerous changes. Once again I had dodged
a huge bullet! Thank you, Judy Ludin, from the bottom of my
heart for saving my life.

After my PBM, I occasionally browsed the FORCE website,
read the newsletters and appreciated the work that was being
done. But it wasn't until I attended the 2010 conference
that FORCE became a force in my life. I had no idea of the
magnitude of all the work FORCE does for people like me
and the far-reaching effects it has on the BRCA community.
I extend my love and gratitude to all involved with running
FORCE for their dedication, hard work and love that they give
to the community.

Share Your Story

Do you have something to say that may inform our readers
or ease their experience? We invite you to share your reflections or personal
story about dealing with the issues of hereditary breast or ovarian cancer.
Tell us how you feel, how you cope, or what you've learned. Email stories
of 500-550 words to info@facingourrisk.org or mail to FORCE, 16057 Tampa
Palms Blvd. W., Tampa, FL 33647. Please include your name and daytime
telephone number so we can contact you if we decide to publish your story
in a future issue.

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